[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Mashing keys may be fun, but it is not making music. You can still play with the volume turned off. I would actually contend that you might do better by doing so, but that is not the point.

Where did anyone say that Guitar Hero is "making music"? Just like playing Madden isn't "playing football", playing Guitar Hero isn't playing the guitar. It's a game. It's fun. I'm not making an argument that it's somehow a replacement for making original music. Are you even reading what people are posting before replying?

Originally Posted by Dean

The gist of his argument is that the old fogies are old and therefore don't realize the potential of modern ideas like game controllers.

Nope. The gist is that people that put down music based on the instrument used to make it are yokels. Nowhere is someone's age being mentioned, nor is there any implication that the "yokel" is unaware of technology. In fact, they explicitly point out the person is aware of the game. Again, are you even reading what's been said?

Originally Posted by Dean

The words I put in quotes are in your quote. To claim that modern instruments are not engineered for use is crazy. Until you make a brain interface, the range of motion and depth of options on current instruments is absolutely incredible. Some gaming device that relies on only minimal motion of your fingers that retails for <$100 can't compete no matter how well engineered.

No one claimed modern instruments aren't engineered for use. The claim is that traditional instruments are limited by the fact they use their shape to physically create the music. It is impossible to make a tuba, that sounds like a tuba, but is only 6 inches in size. But a game controller interfacing with a computer can sound like a tuba without being limited by the laws of physics required to make that sound via air blown through a tube. There's no argument being made that the game controller is a better tuba than the original, just that the music generated by it is still in fact "real music" even if the instrument isn't a "real instrument".

Originally Posted by Dean

A real guitar has how many frets times how many strings? Guitar Hero has what, 5 buttons and a strum bar? OOOoooooohhhh

So what? Really, what does the design of a controller for a game have to do with the argument about traditional vs. non-traditional instruments? No one anywhere in this thread has made a statement that Guitar Hero is for making music. It's for the game playing equivalent of making music. You might as well ask where the cleats are on the controller for better traction on the football field. Guitar Hero, and its controllers are unrelated to the argument about instruments.

Originally Posted by Dean

I already did the keyboard analogy to a game controller.

Um, good for you?

Originally Posted by Dean

The guy appears to think we are still playing harpsichords and beating on empty skulls. Many musicians today use far more CPU power than your average gaming system has to create their music and those are often tied to other incredible pieces of electronic wizardry with incredibly diverse and sensitive input and feedback systems.

No he's not. If you were at all familiar with Penny Arcade, you'd realize that next to The Onion, it may be the most sarcastic site on the internet. Just because you can't recognize sarcasm does not change the intent of his statement. Plus, PA did not say that a video game system is good for making music!!!! No matter how much you wish that were the case, you're just putting words in their mouth. They did say that the instrument used for making music does not define the music, and that it's childish to assume that traditional instruments are somehow "better" than technology... but nowhere is there any implication that a video game controller is a "good" alternative instrument. I'm sure they're aware of the way computers are used in the music industry, hence their whole attack on people that believe technology based instruments make less worth music than traditional instruments.

Originally Posted by Dean

Just because you might be able to use a gaming system to create music does not mean it is somehow remotely equivalent to the instruments and technology musicians actually use to do so in the real world. Just because there is a place on the internet where you can share/trade the creations you make on your gaming system does not mean it is the next big thing.

Again, who said a gaming system is being used as an instrument!? You're arguing against something you made up. PA didn't suggest an XBox is a good instrument... I didn't say it... the blather from the other folks in this thread that I bothered to glance at didn't seem to imply that. As far as I can tell, this whole thread was created by you to argue with yourself, since you don't bother to read what people are saying.